1 Kings 17:18

Authorized King James Version

And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙
And she said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
אֵ֣לִיָּ֔הוּ
unto Elijah
elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other israelites
#4
מַה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#5
לִּ֥י
H0
#6
וָלָ֖ךְ
H0
#7
אִ֣ישׁ
What have I to do with thee O thou man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#8
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים
of God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#9
בָּ֧אתָ
art thou come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#10
אֵלַ֛י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
לְהַזְכִּ֥יר
to remembrance
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
#12
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
עֲוֹנִ֖י
my sin
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
#14
וּלְהָמִ֥ית
and to slay
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#15
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
בְּנִֽי׃
my son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Kings. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 1 Kings Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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